Weekend DVD Pick

My pick for this weekend is one of my favorite films of the 90's, Rob Roy. In 1995 we got two films about Scottish legends, Rob Roy then William Wallace, Mel Gibson's Braveheart. For me Rob Roy is a finer film by far. A timeless story shot in the misty Highlands of Scotland and actors that are every bit as good as the story and scenery.

Liam Neeson is perfectly cast as Robert Roy MacGregor, a hardworking steward who dares to dream of a better life for his clan. He's growing weary of hunting down and killing cattle rustlers even though he's really really good at it.

Rob's best mate Alan MacDonald (Eric Stolz) thinks they should save their pennies for a voyage to America and be done with the nobles. Rob, however loves the Highlands as well he should. He has a beautiful, horny wife (Jessica Lange!!), two strapping young sons, a cool hut by the lake and a Border Collie. He thinks they can borrow money from the cruel and not-so-vaguely French Marquis of Montrose (John Hurt) and make enough profit trading cattle to pay him back and start up their own business.

But the rich have a way of keeping the little guy down. Enter Tim Roth as the Marquis' dandy but deadly nephew, Archie and Brian Cox as Killearn, a leacherous accountant. These two actors are so good at being bad it makes all the violence that's to come both tragic and uplifting.

The swordplay in this film is incredible. Rob is all business with his broadsword and dagger. Powerful, bloody and mercifully quick. The not-so-vaguely French Archie on the other hand, perversely toys his victims with his rapier before he inevitably kills them. To my mind Archie is the most sadistic film character ever, raping women and shooting dogs with total glee. Killing Archie would be too good for him. Almost.

Sometime this weekend we'll fire up some popcorn, put on sweatpants, slippers and our hokiest Scottish accents. We'll cheer Rob and mourn poor Alan. We'll wonder, what the devil a Marquis is doing in Scotland and yell "Into the mist lads!!!" as his henchmen close in.

Ryoushi says check it out.